The Bright Unknown

Written by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Narrated by Devon O'Day

A sparkling search for answers, family, and a place to call home.

Pennsylvania, 1940s. The only life Brighton Friedrich has ever known is the one she has endured within the dreary walls of Riverside Home—the rural asylum where she was born. A nurse, Joann, has educated and raised Brighton, whose mother is a patient at the hospital. But Joann has also kept vital information from Brighton—secrets that if ever revealed would illuminate Brighton’s troubling past and the circumstances that confine her to Riverside. Brighton’s best friend is a boy she calls Angel, and as they grow up together and face the bleak future that awaits them, they determine to make a daring escape.

Nothing can prepare Brighton and Angel for life beyond Riverside’s walls. They have no legal identities, very little money, and only a few leads toward a safe place to land. As they struggle to survive in a world they’ve never seen before, they must rely on each other and the kindness of strangers—some of whom may prove more dangerous than the asylum they’ve fled.

Narrated in Elizabeth Byler Younts’s gorgeous style, this poignant and heartbreaking novel explores the power of resilience, the gift of friendship, and the divine beauty to be found in the big, bright world—if only we’re willing to look.

Praise for The Bright Unknown:

“A beautifully woven story of a young woman’s journey to understanding that the past shapes us but does not define us, and that it is love that gives us the courage to live like we believe it. With prose that is luminous and lyrical, The Bright Unknown is a compelling read from the first page to the last.” —Susan Meissner

“With evocative prose and rich detail, Younts draws us into the humanity and hurt of a little examined chapter in American history. Her poignant details will break open your heart, but, with skillful beauty, she makes Brighton—and us—whole again in this wonderful story of hope, grace, and love.” —Katherine Reay

“Elizabeth Byler Younts writes with heart, a poet’s pen, and courage. This is I knew when I read The Solace of Water. This was reinforced with my reading of her newest offering. Younts has given us a story which is at once powerful and compassionate, revealing and dignified, heartrending and lyric. Compelling and infused with hope of redemption, The Bright Unknown ushers readers on a journey of empathy. I, for one, am grateful to have read it.” —Susie Finkbeiner

“As bold as it is beautiful, as haunting as it is full of hope, The Bright Unknown is a story that will latch onto the minds and hearts of readers, and not easily let go. With luscious language that gives birth to unforgettable characters, Younts is not afraid to explore the dark places for the sake of finding light. I could not put this novel down!” —Heidi Chiavaroli

• Stand-alone historical novel set in the twentieth century
• Book length: approximately 110K words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Oct 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9780718099275

Elizabeth Byler Younts

Elizabeth Byler Younts is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She was Amish as a child and after her parents left the church she still grew up among her Amish family and continues to speak Pennsylvania Dutch. She lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews for The Bright Unknown

[khoyt-43756 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are certain books I read that the prose seems to drape all over me and infuse me with a sense of being in the story. "The Bright Unknown" by Elizabeth Byler Younts is one of those books. She makes you feel the emotions, the fear, the despair of the wonderful characters. We need to know the history of the "insane asylums"; the poor treatment, the lack of real knowledge, the excuses people used to rid themselves of "problems" by condemning them to these places, in order to see how far the medical field has come and to ensure we never go back to those times. There are grief and despair throughout these pages. There are also boundless love and unfathomable hope that we could all use today.

[sprainedbrain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a book that sat in my NetGalley tbr for far too long. I have no idea why I kept skipping it for others, and it’s now one of the best books I’ve read this year.

First, The Bright Unknown is beautifully written. It’s descriptive (painfully so at times) and well-paced, with a fully realized character in Brighton. I truly felt like I grew up with her, and felt her feelings right along with her. The characters of Nursey, Angel, and Grace are also well-drawn and authentic. The story feels researched and very much within its time historically. I’ve not read any other books by this author, but I will most definitely be looking for more of her work.

I really appreciated the way the author dealt with the harsh reality of how people with mental illnesses and people on the fringes of society were treated in our institutions in the not-so-distant past. The book is gritty and heartbreaking, and even though poor Brighton has never known anything but Riverside, and the patients and staff there are her friends and family, the reader truly feels the horror, neglect, and sadness of the poor souls trapped within its walls. I think this quote near the end, from grown-up Nell, perfectly summarizes my feelings having finished the book:

“Don’t forget that thousand of souls lived and died there and were ostracized by society. Many are buried in the back corner because no one claimed their bodies. Don’t forget the history of what has happened at Riverside and other facilities like it, and don’t let history repeat itself. And when you meet someone who might struggle with mental illness, see the person behind the frightened eyes. Not just the diagnosis.”

Even when Brighton and Angel are able to escape, they have a long way to go both physically and emotionally on their own in the world for the first time. There are times that things outside seem even less hopeful and bleak than things were in the asylum. Thankfully, the endings of both timelines were uplifting and positive… I needed that in my life right now!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, coming-of-age stories that don’t shy away from the darker side of society. If you’re anything like me, you will need to have some tissues handy, though. It’s a powerful story that will take your heart apart and still leave you hopeful.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars.

The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts is a gritty yet ultimately, hopeful, novel that mainly takes place in the Riverside Home for the Insane.

Although she has no mental illness, Brighton Friedrich lives in a mental institution with her mother, Helen.  Pregnant when admitted to Riverside, Helen gives birth to Brighton within the asylum walls, but it is nurse, Joann Derry, who raises the young girl.  As she grows older, Brighton takes care for her mom while Joann provides an education for her and her best friend, Angel. Brighton also witnesses the horrific "treatment" of the patients who suffer from serious mental illnesses such as psychosis and schizophrenia. She is very much aware that during this time period, not everyone who is a patient belongs there. Many of the patients are merely an inconvenience to their families while others are mentally retarded, depressed or merely orphaned.  After befriending new patient, Grace Douglass, who is Brighton's age, they, along with Angel, begin planning for their eventual escape.

In 1990, Brighton, who now goes by Nell, is contacted by Kelly Keene who has possession of the items she was forced to leave behind during her hurried departure from Riverside decades earlier. Kelly will return Nell's belongings in return for telling her story about what occurred within the walls of the asylum. The now dilapidated buildings  are slated for demolition as long as the town agrees to fund the project.  Nell will only agree with her proposition as long as Kelly arranges for her to revisit the grounds and buildings where she lived during her childhood.  Will confronting the ghosts of her past give Brighton peace? Or will her experiences continue to haunt her?

Seamlessly weaving back and forth in time,  The Bright Unknown is a beautifully written novel that is heartbreaking but also hopeful.  The horrors of asylums and the treatment of the patients are sensitively portrayed but sometimes difficult to read. Through Elizabeth Byler Younts' descriptive prose, the setting and characters spring vibrantly to life.  A poignant and thought-provoking novel that I found impossible to put down and highly recommend.

[hes7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts is historical fiction at its finest. Exquisite and heartbreaking and hopeful, it is one of those books that needs to be experienced.Born into an asylum, Brighton Friedrich spends her growing-up years surrounded by mental patients, nurses and doctors, and a boy she called Angel. She longs to know the world beyond the asylum’s boundaries, yet is as trapped by its harsh realities as any patient. As the narrative alternates between her present and her past, Brighton’s journey toward a future of freedom unfolds, weighted with frustration, emotion, and authenticity and driven by masterful storytelling.Younts brings the experience of an asylum to life with haunting clarity, and in sharing Brighton’s story, she shows readers that even in history’s unsavory moments, light can shine. It’s not always easy to read, but The Bright Unknown is entirely worth the discomfort. I highly, highly recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the dark and dusty hallway of the asylum lives a mother and daughter. I felt shivers race down my arms as I began to read this story . It is hard to imagine what it was like long ago to be in a place where there was no where to go. Day after day you see your mother tortured by the demons in her mind. Brighton grows up in this place where only the forgotten and unwanted are. There is no way this story will not get into the crevices of your mind as you weep and applaud the girl that wants to go beyond the four walls of a hospital.There are so many secrets buried between the cracks of the hospital that it is frightening. Brighton overhears something about her friend Angel that shakes her to the core. It was hard to read how Brighton was treated when she threatened to tell what was going on. A young girl tied to a chair and treated like one of the patients became a nightmare that was hard to wake up from.I enjoyed reading about Angel and Grace. I think with them being there with Brighton it helped her to cope with her need for stability. It was interesting to go back and forth in time and learn who Nell was. Each chapter is intense and the book consumed me. It was dark at times but the author is able to shine hope and forgiveness between the pages. Brighton wants so bad to live outside the hospital but knows it may never happen. You can feel her desperation to live a normal life as she accepts that she is trapped in a world where people are dropped off and forgotten.The power the hospital has over their patients in this story is unimaginable. What person thinks it is right to sterilize women to prevent pregnancy against their will? How can they justify medication to keep patients quiet and out of touch with reality? This hospital is an example of what happened to people long ago when they knew very little about mental health. Trapped in their bodies were people needing love and compassion, but instead received cold shoulders and uncaring attitudes. I don't think I have read a story that is so realistic as this one. The author has a knack for weaving characters that tear at your heart while at the same time wanting to pray for them. I am impressed with how the story flows so easily from the past to present. Along the way secrets are revealed that I didn't expect. The faith element is not overwhelming but with the perfect blend of hope. It is easy to get so caught up in the story that everything around you becomes a blur. The selfishness by adults in this book is deplorable. They were more worried about what others would think instead of accepting their own child. I have heard about getting lost in the system, but this became more of a cover up.There is a big significance in the meaning of names in this book. I know that I have never liked my name because people usually pronounce it wrong. What if you have always been called by a particular name only to find out it was not your given name? This is a big part of the story which I was fascinated by. A name is one's identity and it stays with you forever. The journey the author takes us on is one I will never forget. I couldn't wait to see if Grace would ever be found or what happens to Angel. One decision make by different people change the lives of three very important characters in this story. I admire the author for the way she is able to take words and create a story that gives you hope, forgiveness and most of all peace.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“But I am ready to find those buried souls and love them and remind anyone who will listen that the invisible still exist.”Every once in a while, an author comes along who transforms the genre with work that is exquisitely written and original. This is one of the most exciting moments for book reviewers, finding a diamond among the other gems. There are few Christian books that I choose to review that I end up truly not liking, but even so, certain ones sincerely rise above the rest. Elizabeth Younts’ “The Bright Unknown” definitely makes this exceptional list. From the moment I began reading, I found myself mesmerized. Drawn into the life of the protagonist, Brighton, I was immediately absorbed and became more emotionally engaged with each page. Younts adeptly employs a dual timeline, recounting Brighton’s early life in the Riverside asylum in the early 1940s interspersed with scenes from her life at age 67. At first, the narrative projects a whimsical aura during Brighton’s adolescence, but the veil is removed early on, and the rest of the story exudes a sobering darkness. The author does not flinch away from the realities of twentieth-century mental asylums, yet relates them in a clean manner, demonstrating that unpleasant and even horrific happenings can be told without profanity or graphic detail. If there is one element that I would like to see changed, it would be to increase the faith aspect, which is subtle. “The Bright Unknown” is haunting and will linger long after turning the final page, but not necessarily for the reasons that you might think. What makes this book shine is how thought-provoking it is. Instead of being outright terror-ridden like most asylum-based novels, this one lies more on the level of trauma. The trauma of losing one’s identity and the trauma of not knowing one’s identity in the first place. This story is rife with symbolism and layers of complexity. And I love that! The restraints are not always physical, but sometimes emotional as well. The characters’ psychological profiles drive the plot in more ways than one, entangling and interweaving them. Brighton’s situation is so unique and raises many questions regarding how we think about and relate to others, and what motivates us. I can’t say much without giving away plot points, but suffice it to say that “The Bright Unknown” resonates on a deep level because it speaks to our collective need to be known and loved. And the good news is that we are and always have been by the One who created us and who calls us into a relationship with Him, regardless of our circumstances.I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of those wow books. I cried, laughed and was horrified all in the same paragraph at times. Brighton grew up in an insane asylum because her mother gave birth to her there. She was not supposed to be able to leave because many people thought she might end up like her mother who had mental health issues. This was during the 1920’s to the 1940’s. This was not a good time to be stuck in an asylum. As this book shows, one didn’t have to do much to be sent to an asylum. The characters were wonderful. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

‘All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.’ - Saint Francis‘As long as I kept my eyes open, there was always a sliver of light to follow’ - BrightonWhat an incredible book! The author caught my attention with the beginning when voices of the past, found in a canister of 35mm film, wanted to be developed and brought into the light. What follows is a very honest look at what life was like for young Brighton growing up in Riverside Home for the Insane. Fortunately she was loved and cared for by Nursey, who taught her how to read and writer. She had one friend, an albino boy she named Angel, as he had no other name. She shared her knowledge with him and they spent many hours in the graveyard playing and making up stories about the names on the stones.There is much sadness in this very honest look at what life was like in the Home. The characters are so well developed I felt like I knew them. The plot gathered me in and didn’t let me go until I reached the most wonderful and unexpected ending. There was always that hope .... ‘As long as I kept my eyes open, there was always a sliver of light to follow’ - BrightonThis copy was received through NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions are my own.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book that will make you shutter, and I found myself with tears, those poor people. There is a lot of truth in this read, and knowing that made it so much harder for me to make myself believe this is a fictional book.The author does a wonderful job throughout the story, and once you pick the book up, it becomes very hard to put down. Although there is not an epilogue, the book does bring everything to a conclusion and we are up dated, and I was surprised!Hard to read what happens here, but superbly done, and you don’t want to miss it!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a beautifully written book about a horrific subject with characters that you won't soon forget. The story grabbed me from the first page and kept me interested until the last page. Even though some of it was difficult to read, there was always a feeling of hope, no matter how difficult the circumstances.The story begins in 1937 and Brighton is 14 years old. She has lived in the Riverside Home for the Insane for her entire life. Her mom was a resident when Brighton was born and since there was no one else to take care of her, she grew up sharing a room with her mother. One of the nurses took care of her, taught her to read and read books to her when she was growing up. Her mother was extremely depressed and non-verbal but Brighton loved her dearly and helped to take care of her. When she was younger, she met a boy at the asylum who was a little bit older than her but like her was not insane. He was put into the hospital because he was an albino and an embarrassment to his upper class parents. He didn't even have a name so Brighton named him Angel. A new girl shows up one day. Grace is a little older than Brighton but she was admitted to the hospital because her parents didn't approve of the boy she wanted to marry. She tells Brighton and Angel about the outside world - things that they'd never seen or heard about and they all realize that they don't belong where they are and need to escape. They have no money and very little understanding of how to handle being out in the world but they are determined not to remain where they are. Will they be able to find peace and happiness in the world or will they miss their families and the other patients that they have learned to love and care about? Will they find happiness?The Bright Unknown will definitely be one of my top 10 books for 2019.

[debs4jc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book captured my attention from the very beginning. It is narrated by Brighton, a remarkable woman with an incredible past. Brighton was raised in an asylum during the 1930's. Her mother was pregnant with her when she was committed, and the nurse in charge of her mother's care deemed it best to keep the infant with her mentally ill mother. Indeed, Brighton has always been able to soothe her mother - even if she can't fully connect with her through the fog of her mental illness. And "Nursey" - as she called the woman who raised her did her best to keep Brighton in a cheery atmosphere and educate her. Still, Brighton often had to hide from doctors, and she couldn't help but see the disturbing way the patients in the asylum are treated, and she longs for friends and the normal family life she sees in her book. A friend comes in the form of Angel - an albino boy being raised in the children's home at the Asylum. Left there as an infant by his mother, Angel has been abandoned simply because he looks different, but he finds acceptance in Brighton and the two become inseparable. As Brighton grows into a young woman, she inevitable longs for escape and to experience the outside world. When a young woman named Grace is admitted to the asylum by her parents, Brighton is sure that with her help she can find a way to escape. But will she be able to take Angel with her? And how will they ever survive in a world they know nothing about?I was blown about by this book, the story is so powerful. Brighton is such a strong yet fragile character, and the way she manages to survive so much was incredible. As her story went through it's many twists and turns I couldn't read it fast enough. It was fascinating to see her find the glimmers of light and hope that pulled her out of the darkness into a bright new life. I was weeping for her at the end, for the beauty of how she found help and how she found the strength to tell her story and the stories of all those she held dear. I will savor this read in my mind for a good long time, and I highly recommend it to any reader!